Bedpan pad



C. H. HUNTER Sept. 6, 1949.

BEDPAN PAD Filed Oct. 30, 1946 I uz'eutor Patented Sept. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEDPAN PAD Cora Hanna Hunter, Lewiston, Idaho Application October 30, 1946, Serial No. 706,541

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in what is believed to be a structurally novel patient comforting pad which adapted for use in connection with a standardtype hospital or home bedpan.

As the opening statement of the invention suggests, optionally and temporarily usable pads and cushions for attachment to and use on bedpans are generally old and well known. Such pads are provided with various forms of cushioning facilities and differing structural means for fastening same in place on the usual seat rim of the pan.

In carrying out the principles of the instant invention I have found it expedient and practicable to achieve the ends sought through the adoption and use of a laminated pad in which the top or uppermost lamination embodys a special surface construction which is thought to be more aptly comformable to the requirements of the patient in that it not only promotes the utmost in adaptability and comfort but provides for ventilation and reduces the likelihood that the body will adhere thereto, this to an appreciable mini mum.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment of the invention takes the form 'of a horseshoe-shaped pad laminated in cross-sectional form and characterized by a highly pliant inner filler and top and bottom laminations or plies enclosing same, the effective body contacting surface of the top ply being serrated in a manner to define transverse ribs and intervening air circulating channels, the ribs being V-shaped in crosssectional form to provide the desired feather-edge formations, these conjointly coacting in promoting the desired conforming, non-sticking and aerating properties.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional or so called standard-type bedpan and showing the improved comforting pad applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, like Figure l, but showing the ends of the pan reversed, this in order to bring out all of the structural details.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the pad, the same shown removed from the bedpan.

Figure 4 is an exaggerated transverse or crosssectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

is expressly Figure 5 is a still larger and fragmentary view, the same being sufficiently exaggerated in proportions substantially on the line 5-.-'5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings by the distinguishing reference numerals, the bedpan is denoted by the numeral 6 and is of a conventional or standard form and includes, as is customary, a pan portion and an overhanging seat rim 1. The rim is of general horseshoe-shaped form in top plan view and adjacent ends 8 thereof are spaced apart in order to define the customary pan emptying and human body-parts accommodating opening.

The invention pertains to the improved protector and comforting pad with the latter being denoted, as a unit by the numeral 9.

Observing the pad in either top or bottom plan view, it will be observed that it is, generally speaking, horseshoe-shaped in form and conforms in general respects to the aforementioned seat rim 1. In practice, it intimately conforms to and sits upon and covers the seating surface of said seat rim 1. Also, and as brought out in Figure 4 the portions which go to make up said pad are tapered in cross-sectional form as shown in Figure 4, to conform to the contours and sloping portions of said seat rim. The outer perimeter edge portion of said pad is bounded by an appropriately attached tape In, said tape snugly surrounding the marginal rim portion of the pan and the end portions II and I2 being provided with snap fasteners or equivalent fastening devices, whereby said ends may be separably adjoined. The side portions of saidtape In, as shown in Figure 3, are provided with auxiliary cross-straps, that is long and short straps l3 and [4 located on diametrically opposite sides of the pad and such straps are likewise provided with suitable snap fasteners for purposes of separably adjoining the ends thereof. These several straps combine in providing a harness such as lends itself admirably well in providing suitable means for detachably mounting the pad on the seat rim.

It is to be noted that in addition to the harnessing straps or tapes, I deem it advisable to provide retaining hooks l5, these being provided on corner .portions of the pad as at the points shown and being releasably engageable with the spaced end portions of said seatrim.

Reference being had to Figure 5 it will be observed that, as before indicated, the pad is of laminated form, the inner lamination or ply l6 being of plain rubber treated in such a manner as to minimize the'likellhood that it will stick to a gr ce; and s saetefineea L I,is 'fa.tt'afchable and re- 3w the aforementioned feather-edged feature. US! ing a multiplicity of closely inter-related feather edges and spacing same apart by channels pro: 1 vides an ideal pad surface for the bodyoftfie face affords an extremel resilient, readily com pressible and conformable, a'eiahee anasticking seat. sense of touch, minimizes undesirable pressure and -f rictic n andv promotes, a,,contributing vfactor 20 or eeserand eaififcrptf considered so essential in Considering masher inherent property" and" conseg uent feature of the pad, 1 direct attention 7 to prem e desired s'ialni'taryneeds'.

A carefiil" cb risid'eration" of the rare-going lee; seription, in conjunction with tii inyentionfas 1'. A fisiiienediiiedlsen pad? stantfiany; cover tlie" inaibr a titin or the usual" seating fla ge on a" semen ieiiaf type loedpan, said-pad being at gen erneree hoe shaped form n constructedof rub er andbei'fig 'fizide up'j f It is soft and nice feeling t the 'ng'es. in" s ape: siie: materials and 6 off? a" tic-sub: 45

said intervening lamination being made from i highly pliant and compressible air-foam rubber, V the free end portions of the limbs of said pad! being provided with hooks engageable with edge portions of said seating flange, a primary strapping tape secured to the outer marginal edge .por-

tions of said pad and substantially surroundin the latter, said tape having free end portions extending 'beyondacorresponding end,ppigtipns of the; pad an eepi owi ded Wijflgfgehgrabi}fggiienels, said free end portions being adapted to embrace the forward end portion of the bed-pan to partly hold the pad on the pan, and a plurality of V -rau*xil i'ary cross-tapes secured to longitudinally user. That is to say, this special c-onta ct'a lglesurl5- spaeed pontions of said first-named tape and being adapted to extendtransversely across the bottomo! the b'edpan, the free ends of'said auxiliary tapes having connectibleseparable fasteners, whereby said primary and auxiliary tapes serve tosnugly and satisfactorily harness the pad cn'thepediian: I

plurality" of-laminations; thew being a hottom: lamination, a top; lam nation-5 and an interven-v 1 lamination, the latter kii'th'gof= high ly pliant afrid compressible?- ai-r -ibam" rubberg a sti appihg-"-- tapesecured to we outer marginal edge of said:

- .p'ad, the tape havi'iig fre'teridf portionshaving:

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